Congressman Edward Roybal

CONGRESSMAN EDWARD ROYBAL -- (House of Representatives - November 15, 2005)

(Ms. LINDA T. SÁNCHEZ of California asked and was given permission to address the House for 1 minute.)

Ms. LINDA T. SÁNCHEZ of California. Mr. Speaker, this evening I honor and celebrate the life of former Representative Edward Ross Roybal.

Edward Roybal is a role model and a hero to us all. Congressman Roybal was a founding member of the Congressional Hispanic Caucus, the National Association of Latino Elected and Appointed Officials, and the Congressional Hispanic Caucus Institute.

Much is owed to him for his foresight and leadership in establishing these organizations. Today, these organizations are among the leading voices for the Latino community.

I quickly want to share a story that I think epitomizes Ed Roybal's life in the House. In 1982, he opposed a comprehensive immigration reform bill that had many bad provisions and many punitive provisions in it. He threatened to offer more than 100 amendments to the bill and demand a recorded vote on each amendment if the bill was brought to the floor.

Fortunately for him and the Latino community, the House leaders backed down from this battle. This also is a clear example of how much respect folks had for this man because he stood up for what was right. The powers that be recognized him for his leadership.

In June of 1984, this bill was brought up again; and this time he offered seven amendments to amend the bill. His actions showed his relentless commitment and passion for immigration and its human impact on the Latino community.

Today, we face a similar challenge defending those seeking a better life. It is my hope that Members will remember his courage and integrity when we debate this matter.

Mother Teresa once said, ``I slept and I dreamed that life is all joy. I woke and I saw that life is all service. I served and I saw that service is joy.'' Ed Roybal serves as a shining example of the profound impact that one person can have on his or her community and country. He is a model for selflessness and eternal optimism, and I wish to honor him this evening.

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``Blessed is the leader who seeks the best for those he serves.'' For over a quarter of a century, the people of California had such a leader in Edward Roybal. As we all know, the name Ed Roybal has become synonymous with leadership and integrity in the local and national political arena. Indeed, Ed Roybal was blessed for selflessly giving his energy and love and for dedicating his life to those most in need. Let us honor and celebrate his life's work in public service.

Through his life, Edward Ross Roybal was a tireless champion of the most vulnerable--the elderly and sick in the country. That is why in 2001 President Clinton awarded Congressman Roybal the Presidential Citizens Medal for ``exemplary deeds of service for our Nation.''

Edward Roybal graduated from the University of California Los Angeles and Southwestern University, where he studied law. After working for the California Tuberculosis Association, he served in the U.S. Army during World War II from April 1944 to December 1945.

Edward Roybal was first elected to the House in 1962. Early in his congressional career, he served on various committees where he distinguished himself for his leadership. In 1971, Congressman Roybal was selected to serve on the Appropriations Committee, where he remained for the rest of his tenure in the House. He was a powerful advocate for funding education, civil rights, and health programs. Most notably, he was one of the first Members of Congress to press for HIV/AIDS research funding.

Representative Roybal also served on the Select Committee on Aging, serving as chair from 1985 to 1993. In 1980, he led a campaign for the restoration of funds to programs for the elderly. In 1982, he was successful in maintaining the Meals on Wheels program.

After Congress, former Representative Roybal used his leftover campaign funds to found a non-profit research agency dedicated to improving the quality and effectiveness of health and human services to older persons, now called the Edward R. Roybal Institute for Applied Gerontology at the California State University--Los Angeles campus. Clearly, Roybal was committed to public health issues that affected the most vulnerable. To this end, in 1999 the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) honored Congressman Roybal's support for public health programs by naming its main campus in Atlanta in his honor and awarding him its Champion of Prevention Award.

Congressman Roybal was also a founding member of the Congressional Hispanic Caucus, the National Association of Latino Elected Officials, and the Congressional Hispanic Caucus Institute. Much is owed to him for his foresight and leadership in establishing these organizations. Today, these organizations are among the leading voices for the Latino community.

Mother Teresa once said, ``I slept and I dreamed that life is all joy. I woke and I saw that life is all service. I served and I saw that service is joy.'' Ed Roybal serves as a shining example of the profound impact one person can have on his or her community and nation. He is a model for selflessness and eternal optimism. Ed Roybal is a role model and a hero to us all.

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